Mazo

Before the Spanish invasion, Belmaco Cave was the home of the kings of Mazo. The first rock carvings were found in the 18th century, which was the start of archaeology in the Canary Islands. Today, it’s open to the public. The entrance is on the other side of the road. A little farther inside, there’s a small, two-story building housing various artefacts, like shell spoons and bone punches, and…

Tomorrow is Corpus Christi in Mazo. That is, they’ll be making the archways and carpets tonight, and most people will go and see them tomorrow, but they’ll stay up until Sunday night. Also on Sunday they’ll hold a special mass in the church at 11:30 followed by a procession around the archways. The full program is here (in Spanish). If you miss this, you can see some examples from…

The Red House, Mazo La Palma’s embroidery museum is upstairs in the Red House in Mazo. Downstairs is a museum about the fiesta of Corpus Christi in Mazo. If you’re on La Palma for June 4th next year, for goodness’ sake go and see the archways. If not, I strongly recommend the museum. Some of the things used to make the Corpus Christi archways, and a block for chopping them…

Inside the workshop at El Molino The Benahoaritas (or Auaritas or Awaras) were the people who lived on La Palma before the Spanish invasion. They lived in caves and wore animal skins, but they farmed, and they had ceramics. The older ceramics are simpler, and the newer ones usually more decorated. At El Molino, in Mazo, they make replicas of these ceramics. The business was started by Ramon and Vina,…

Last night was the “Borrachito” fiesta in Hoyo de Mazo. I’ve lived here for 25 years, and managed to miss this one every single year, even though I only live 15 minutes drive away. Last night I finally made it. It starts off like a normal fiesta. There’s a stage in the village square with a band playing salsa music while people dance, and the square is lined with mobile…

Oh thank goodness! (or rather, thank firefighters!) #IFJedey El perímetro del incendio de La Palma se encuentra ya estabilizado en todos sus frentes http://www.gobiernodecanarias.org/noticias/se/74416/perimetro-incendio-palma-encuentra-estabilizado-frentes … It burnt a total of 4,800 Hectares (11,861 acres/48 sq km) which is 6.8% of the island. OK, so that’s 93.2% unaffected, or at least not burnt. It’s still a great place for a holiday, although the network of hiing trails is closed due to…